If you plan to develop custom WordPress themes and plugins, you’ll want to focus on creating products that address widely-needed features, are highly customizable, and offer practical solutions for different types of WordPress websites. Here are some suggestions for themes and plugins that have high demand and can attract a wide range of users:
Custom Theme Development Ideas
Multi-purpose Business Themes
Use Case: This type of theme would be highly customizable, catering to various business sectors such as corporate websites, agencies, and small businesses.
Features:
- Multiple pre-built demo templates (corporate, startup, portfolio, etc.)
- One-click demo import
- Built-in page builder integration (like Elementor or WPBakery)
- Advanced header & footer options
- WooCommerce support
Why: Business owners need flexible themes that allow them to set up professional websites with minimal effort.
2. Niche-Specific Themes (Real Estate, Lawyers, Medical, etc.)
Use Case: Develop highly specialized themes for industries such as real estate, law firms, healthcare, restaurants, and others.
Features:
- Real estate property listing layouts (with filters, maps, etc.)
- Appointment scheduling for medical or beauty salons
- Custom post types (e.g., for lawyers, doctors, properties)
- Integration with third-party tools (like real estate MLS, online booking systems, or restaurant reservation plugins)
Why: These industries have very specific needs, and a custom theme that addresses their pain points is highly valuable.
3. Minimalist/Portfolio Themes
Use Case: A sleek, modern, and visually-focused theme that’s perfect for photographers, designers, artists, and creatives.
Features:
- Grid-based or masonry layouts for portfolios
- Lightbox integration for image galleries
- Parallax scrolling
- Custom typography and color schemes
Why: Creative professionals need a theme that lets their work shine and is easy to navigate.
4. One-page Themes (Landing Pages, Personal Websites, etc.)
Use Case: Perfect for personal websites, product landing pages, or small business promotions.
Features:
- Smooth scrolling
- Call-to-action (CTA) sections
- Integrated blog and testimonial sections
- Mobile-optimized
Why: Many small businesses, freelancers, or event promotions require simple, clean, and effective one-page websites.
5. Membership & Community Themes
Use Case: For creating online communities, membership websites, and e-learning platforms.
Features:
- Member directories
- Profile management
- Social features like forums or activity feeds
- Integrated LMS (Learning Management System)
Why: With the rise of membership sites, creating a theme with these features will serve a growing market.
Custom Plugin Development Ideas
1. Advanced Form Builders (Beyond Contact Forms)
Use Case: While plugins like Contact Form 7 and WPForms exist, creating a next-generation form builder with more advanced capabilities could stand out.
Features:
- Multi-step forms
- Conditional logic
- Integrations with CRM or email marketing services (Mailchimp, HubSpot, etc.)
- Payment gateway support (Stripe, PayPal)
Why: Forms are a core component for almost every website, but many users require more advanced features for lead generation, event bookings, surveys, and quizzes.
2. Custom Post Type & Taxonomy Manager
Use Case: Create a plugin that simplifies the process of managing custom post types and taxonomies.
Features:
- Easy UI to create, manage, and organize custom post types and taxonomies
- Template generation for custom post types (e.g., single post, archive page)
- Support for custom fields and advanced meta boxes
Why: Custom post types are crucial for building specific content types, and making it easy for users to manage them will save time and effort.
3. Advanced SEO Tools (Beyond Yoast SEO)
Use Case: While Yoast is popular, there is always room for new SEO solutions that offer a more tailored approach or advanced features.
Features:
- On-page SEO recommendations
- Schema markup integration (structured data)
- Google Analytics and Google Search Console integration
- Social media optimization (Open Graph, Twitter cards, etc.)
Why: SEO is essential for all WordPress websites. An advanced tool with specific functionality can differentiate itself from existing plugins by offering more granular control or specific solutions.
4. Content Restriction/Access Control Plugins
Use Case: Useful for membership sites, e-learning platforms, or websites with premium content.
Features:
- Restrict access to specific content based on user roles, subscription plans, or other criteria
- Drip content functionality (scheduled content release)
- Paywall integrations (e.g., Patreon or subscription-based models)
Why: As membership-based models grow, website owners need a robust way to manage who can access their content.
5. Event Management & Booking Plugins
Use Case: A plugin that enables event booking, RSVPs, and management of events (for conferences, workshops, and seminars).
Features:
- Event calendar with booking options
- Payment gateway integration for event tickets
- Waitlist feature for sold-out events
- Customizable event templates and reminders
Why: Many businesses and individuals host events online or offline and need an intuitive tool for managing registrations, payments, and reminders.
6. Customizable Product Comparison Plugin (for WooCommerce or general eCommerce)
Use Case: A plugin that allows users to compare products in an eCommerce store.
Features:
- Product comparison table generation
- Custom attributes for comparison (price, features, reviews, etc.)
- Integration with WooCommerce and other platforms
Why: Consumers often compare products before making purchasing decisions, and offering an easy way to do this could increase conversions.
7. Dynamic Content Plugin
Use Case: A plugin that allows site admins to create personalized content for users based on behavior, location, or user type.
Features:
- Location-based content delivery
- Behavior-triggered content changes (e.g., based on previous visits)
- Integrations with Google Analytics and tracking systems
Why: Personalization increases engagement, and businesses are always looking for ways to enhance the user experience with dynamic, tailored content.
8. Advanced Analytics & Reporting Plugin
Use Case: A plugin that integrates with Google Analytics and offers advanced reporting features.
Features:
- Dashboards for tracking user behavior, page performance, and more
- Customizable reports
- Real-time tracking for eCommerce sales, blog traffic, or other KPIs
Why: Website owners need in-depth insights to improve their content, SEO, and marketing strategies. An advanced analytics plugin can provide easy-to-read reports and actionable data.
9. Affiliate Marketing Plugin
Use Case: A plugin designed to handle affiliate marketing programs, enabling users to set up and manage affiliates for product promotion.
Features:
- Affiliate link generation
- Commission tracking
- Payment integration (PayPal, Stripe)
- Reports and analytics for affiliates and site owners
Why: With the rise of affiliate marketing, website owners need a streamlined way to manage affiliate relationships.
10. Customizable Live Chat Plugin
Use Case: Create a customizable live chat system that integrates with various messaging services.
Features:
- Chatbot integration
- Customizable chat widgets (design, colors, etc.)
- Integration with CRM and support tools
Why: Live chat is a powerful tool for improving user engagement and providing customer support, and a customizable solution would be highly sought after.
Conclusion
To develop successful custom WordPress themes and plugins, focus on creating solutions that solve common problems for a wide range of users, offer high customizability, and integrate well with other tools. Multi-purpose themes, niche-specific themes, and specialized plugins (like for SEO, eCommerce, and membership) are in high demand, as they cater to businesses and individuals looking to enhance their WordPress sites with minimal effort. By staying on top of trends and understanding user needs, you can create highly marketable and useful products that appeal to a wide audience.